Wineries in Pike County

When people think of domestic wines they usually think of the vineyards of California. Illinois is generally associated with fields of corn and soybeans, but there once was a time that it was heavily involved in the winemaking business. Around 1830 in Illinois the first vineyards were planted around Galena and the western part of the state. By the early 1900s, Illinois had grown to be the fourth largest grape growing state and was responsible for approximately 25 percent of the domestic wine produced in the United States. The Illinois wine business was dealt a severe blow when the Prohibition era began with the passage of the 18th Amendment in 1919 and many of the grape growers turned to other crops and the remaining vines were killed by pesticides. But the wine business is making a comeback in Illinois led by the efforts of state funded agencies. In 1990, there were only five wineries in Illinois, while today the state hosts over 80.

The types of wines produced are different from those that are produced in California. Wine varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are too delicate for the cold winters and hot summers of the region. French hybrids such as Chambourcin and Vignole are more suited to the region and some wineries incorporated local fruits such as apple, peaches, cherries, and blackberries.

Here in Pike County we have one winery, Hopewell Winery just west of Summer Hill. Collver Family Winery in Barry closed in 2015. There are additional wineries close by in Brown, Adams, and Madison counties. See the Illinois Wine link below.